Most teens start menstruating when they are 11-13 years old but the first period can start as early as 9! So when do you start to talk about teen menstruation? How early is early enough?

You can generally predict the start of a girls menstrual periods by the development of her breasts. Girls develop breast buds, or small nodules below the nipples as the breasts begin to grow. This development happens approximately 2 years before she will start her period.

Most preteens are too embarrassed to start the discussion themselves so it is up to you to begin the conversation. There is too much information to cover all of it in one conversation and one talk will discourage your girl from asking questions later.

To introduce the topic you may want to ask her what she already knows and has heard from her friends. You can also start the conversation with health issues, which may be less embarrassing for her. Answer any of her questions honestly and at her maturity level.  Read more...

If you haven’t seen the ads yet, smoking is both addictive and deadly. It can lead to cancers and disfigurement. But, many adult smokers began this habit when they were teenagers. Help your teen to realize what they are in for if they begin to smoke.

You want to count out all that your teen shouldn’t do and expect them to follow your lead. Unfortunately, they won’t listen to that. Remember when you were a teenager? There are many reasons why teenagers get into smoking in the first place. Learning those reasons and trying to counteract them is your best way of getting through to your teen.

So, why do teenagers smoke? In the 60s and 70s it was the Marlboro Man ads. Smoking was synonymous with sex appeal and manliness. If you weren’t the Marlboro Man then you were a woman who wanted one.  Read more...

To introduce aromatherapy to babies place 2 drops of essential oil C(try Lavender) on a tissue and keep it nearby when you are feeding him or her. He will come to associate the aroma with love and comfort. Use this scent at night to help him sleep.

When you leave the child with a sitter the aroma will comfort and reassure him. Use 1 drop Chamomile oil on a washcloth wrapped ice cube to relieve teething pain in children

Children love it when their bath water smells good. Lavender and Roman Chamomile are good choices for small children. It is best to add the essential oils to some milk or liquid soap before adding to the tub. Use 1-3 total drops per bath.

Be sure to keep all bottles of essential oils away from children. When planning a children’s party choose the Citrus oils like Orange and Mandarin to use in the diffuser or Aroma Lamp. They are happy yet calming scents that all children love.  Read more...

Although there has not been established an exact cause or causes of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), it has been linked to the luteal phase of a woman’s menstrual cycle. We do know that PMS appears to be more common among identical twin girls, and those women with a family history of PMS or those who suffer from depression or are bipolar.

It may be that genetic factors play a role in who develops PMS. Some scientists say that the central-nervous-system neurotransmitter interactions with the monthly hormones put out by the reproductive system may also play a role in PMS, particularly PMS is thought to be linked to the activity of serotonin which is a neurotransmitter within the brain. Studies show that up to 40% of women who have PMS, also have a significant decline in the circulating serum levels of beta-endorphin. Beta-endorphin is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter.

Once a female is diagnosed with PMS a treatment plan can be developed. There are many treatments that have been deemed to be effective for the relief of PMS symptoms. Treatment is usually a combination of dietary changes, SSRIs, Hormone intervention, and supportive therapy.  Read more...

Of all the symptoms associated with menopause, hot flashes have to be considered among the most ill-desired symptom of all. While they are an absolute annoyance, it is the hormonal imbalance within that causes them to occur. Since there are no definitive conclusions as to why hot flashes occur, let’s try to determine how to deal with hot flashes.

According to a recent report on menopause, it was determined that “lifestyle and psychological factors can increase the number and severity of hot flashes that a woman experiences. In fact, women who tested at a high level of anxiety had nearly five times the number of hot flashes as those who tested low. Women who smoked experienced twice the amount. Being overweight led to an increase in annoying hot flashes, as well.”

Hot flashes sometimes start with perimenopause, or they may not start until after the last menstrual period has occurred. Usually, they last three to five years and are usually worse during the year following the last menstrual period. However, it has been noted that for some women, hot flashes can last indefinitely.  Read more...

Wouldn’t you like to know if you are in the risk pool for some horrible condition, so you could get out or at least know how to navigate the waters safely? What if that risk pool was for a condition that brought you pain, nausea and vomiting to the point that you found it difficult to function at work, school or at home?

That risk pool does exist for up to 17% of women and 6% of men suffering from migraines. Are you in the risk pool? Are your children going to be in the risk pool for migraines?

What are the risk factors for migraines?

If you talk to people who have already been diagnosed with migraines chances are they will admit to having other family members who have also been diagnosed or suffer from the same symptoms as they experience. Family history of migraines is one risk factor in the risk factor pool for migraine.  Read more...

When your doctor has made the diagnosis of Restless Leg Syndrome, you must now make a decision on how to best treat your symptoms.  If medication is required there are a few that are now approved to work with RLS symptoms.

When you legs won’t let you rest, and it begins affecting you both physically and mentally, Mirapex may be considered as an option.  The US food and drug administration has approved Mirapex to be used to treat moderate to severe restless leg syndrome.  It is important to note that Mirapex is to be used when RLS is the primary disorder, as well as being used to treat Parkinson’s disease.

Taking Mirapex, however, is different when taken for RLS than for Parkinson’s disease.  Individuals with RLS will take a lower dose of the medication once a day; usually 2 or 3 hours before going to bed.  It is also important to take the medication everyday, whether symptoms are evident or not.   Read more...